Jerry West, the celebrated player and businessman who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame three times and whose silhouette is said to be the basis for the NBA logo, died Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Clippers announced.
He was 86 years old.
Los Angeles Lakers general manager Jerry West sits at his desk at the Forum in Los Angeles, California, circa 1987. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
West, nicknamed “Mr. Clutch” for his performances towards the end of his playing career, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980 as a player and again in 2010 as a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic team. He will be inducted for the third time as a contributor later this year.
U.S. President Donald Trump (R) presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to National Basketball Hall of Famer Jerry West during a ceremony in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 5, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
He served as general manager of eight-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers teams, helping establish the “Showtime” dynasty, and also worked in the front offices of the Memphis Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors and Clippers.
